October 7th and the Jewish Holidays

Abstract painting captioned, "Bring Them Home."

Almost a year has passed since Hamas’s attack at a music festival and neighboring communities in Israel, resulting in brutal deaths and kidnappings on the last day of the Jewish High Holidays. It is equally hard to believe that 101 hostages still remain in the hands of the perpetrators of this violence. As the war in Gaza continues, my heart goes out to the people of Gaza for the immense suffering they have endured as a result of the war.

In addition to the sadness and grief I have felt, I share in the bewilderment, anger, outrage, and fear of my Jewish brothers and sisters, near and far. I’m profoundly sad about the state of the hostages in Gaza and what the families of these victims have had to endure. When the bodies of six hostages were discovered in a tunnel in Gaza a month ago, Jews everywhere were crushed and broken-hearted. They were brutally murdered just a day or two before they were found. The never-ending nightmare of violence is more than troubling.

I was so grief-stricken, that I told my rabbi that although only six hostages were killed, it felt more like “six million." My analogy may seem exaggerated, but it feels like the continuation of a long history of enemies trying to annihilate my people. One of the hardest things for many Jews is not only finding a way to collectively express our grief but to also find ways to honor the sanctity of the High Holidays, which will be marked by Hamas's cruelly-timed attack.

Something that has helped me is being in close connection with my local Jewish community. I have attended services full of meaning, with songs, sharings, and Hebrew prayers. On October 6th, my Jewish Community Center is having a day of reflection and commemoration of the one-year anniversary of October 7th. There will be music performed by local Jewish musicians as well as visual art exhibits, poetry readings, an art workshop, and a song circle.

For the past few weeks, I have been holding my breath over what may happen to the Jewish state and all its inhabitants, especially during the holidays. It’s hard to trust that G-d sees the suffering of His people, but throughout history, we have seen His hand at work. During the month of Elul, which leads up to the celebration of the High Holidays, there is a a prayer of supplication called “Shomer Yisrael," “Protector of Israel." In it, we reflect on G-d’s mercy and put our hope in His saving power.

On Rosh Hashanah, it is customary to hear the sound of the shofar. The shofar, which is a ram’s horn, reminds us of Abraham’s intention to sacrifice his son Isaac in obedience to G-d. Instead, G-d intervenes, and Abraham offers a ram in his son’s place. This is the saving power we seek.

One of the prayers we say on this holiday is “Blessed are You, Adonai our G-d, Ruler of the universe, for giving us life, for sustaining us, and for enabling us to reach this season”. Although we are fearful this season, we have a source of strength in a G-d who has watched over His people for thousands of years. May we see His saving power for all Jews, and for all who love peace, everywhere in these troubled times.

L’Shana Tova